The Shi'ar are an extraterrestrial semi-humanoid
race who have established a galaxy-wide empire in the Shi'ar Galaxy and have
had dealings with humans from Earth. The Shi'ar originated on a planet they
call the Aerie and their civilization predates Earth humans' recorded
history. At an earlier point in their evolution the Shi'ar's had fully
developed wings attached to their arms enabling them to fly. Apparently the
Aerie's environmental conditions are similar to those of Earth, since Shi'ar
can exist on Earth without artificial aids.

The Shi'ar Galaxy is believed to exist within
the area of space containing the galaxy known on Earth as M-31. The Shi'ar
now control all known inhabited worlds within their galaxy. Their principal
rivals for control of the galaxy were the Mephitisoids who are now fully
under Shier domination. The Shi'ar Empire is relatively young compared to
those of the Kree and Skrulls, for the Shi'ar achieved control of their
entire galaxy comparatively recently and their empire is still in its main
expansionist stage. The Shi'ar have diplomatic relations with both the Kree
and Skrulls and due to the great distance between galaxies and the age-old
hatred between Kree and Skrulls have managed to avoid wars with either.

The Shi'ar Empire is governed from the Imperial
Throneworld, an artificial planet constructed by the Shi'ar. Different
artificial environments have been created on the Throneworld to serve the
needs of the representatives from the numerous worlds within the Empire. The
Shi'ar give the worlds they rule differing degrees of autonomy depending on
various factors notably their loyalty to the Empire. Some worlds have
virtual independence and are allowed to send representatives to serve on the
Shi'ar High Council. Others such as that of the Mephitisoids are kept under
virtual martial law. The Shi'ar High Council acts as an advisory body to the
Shi'ar majestor (emperor) or majestrix (empress) but complete executive
power resides solely with the majestor or majestrix. The Shi'ar Imperial
Guard comprised of specially powered beings from throughout the Empire act
as enforcers of imperial Law. An elite corps of the Guard protects and
carries out the personal directives of the majestor or majestrix. A much
larger division called the Borderers aids the governors of conquered worlds
in enforcing Shi'ar law on those worlds. The Shi'ar have an enormous
interstellar fleet used for military and exploratory purposes. Non-Shi'ar
from loyal worlds are allowed to serve in the space fleet in positions below
command levels. Members of conquered races that are regarded as primitive or
of dubious loyalty are often used as slaves. Rebel leaders are consigned
with criminals to slave pits.

Shi'ar technology is extraordinarily advanced. Besides their advanced
warp-drive starships the Shi'ar can travel instantaneously between even
galaxies using a space-warping device called the Stargate which demands
however far more energy than warp-drive starships.

The Shi'ar have known of Earth for many years and have secretly stationed
observers there ever since it became widely known that it lay at a
crossroads for hyperspatial routes within the Milky Way Galaxy and between
that galaxy end those of the Kree, Shi'ar and Skrulls. The Shi'ar tend to
regard Earth humans as primitives, but some Shi'ar have begun to alter that
opinion due to contact with Earth's X-Men.